MoMA PS1 to Buy New Building for Galleries, Offices

The New York City council budget approved last month led to a huge influx of city funds into the Long Island City arts. MoMA PS1 received $3 million to purchase a nearby apartment building that will become gallery space or more offices for the already mammoth institution.

“MOMA PS1 is great for Long Island City,” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said, (who is the chair of the city council’s Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee). “The number of people who go to Long Island City because of it is enormous. And many of those people then go to Vernon Blvd and elsewhere to go to restaurants and stores.”

Also the Chocolate Factory Theater, which hosts contemporary, experimental productions, received $1.7 million in funds to repair its building. “The Chocolate Factory doesn’t own its space and we are hopeful that they will be able to purchase that building…and if they can’t, the money could be used for a new permanent home,” Van Bramer said.